Yes, I Am A Model

Yes I am a model, and have been for six years. A role model, that is. I got that slap to the back of the head (again!) just the other day, listening to both girls use MY words and sarcastic tone to argue with each other. The good news is that at least I know my kids are listening to me. The bad news is, oh, where do I begin? Sarcasm is such an easy language to learn too. I wish Finnish or German, or calculus were so easy. I'd be a genius, as well as multi-lingual.

I want my kids to be kids--actual innocent, free spirited children who believe in Santa Clause and the magic of fairies and unicorns for as long as possible. I don't want them to be cynical mini-adults carrying the weight of this awesome/awful world on their shoulders before they're mentally and emotionally ready to deal with it. Because really, where do you go from there?

I'm allowed to be cynical. After 44 years on this planet, I've earned that right, and sometimes it gets me through the day. But my kids--no kids, actually--should be that way. The world is still a new and exciting place of discovery. And the need to be cool or to appear bored or above it all kills that sense of discovery. But you know what? I'm also learning that even at my age, I am able to let go of the sarcasm and cynicism if I just look at the world through my kid's eyes (before they glaze over to the realm of Whatever). Maybe this is the age at which adults begin to regress back into childhood. So by the time I'm 80 or so, my kids will be changing my diaper and wiping drool from my overly made-up face. Oh I shudder at that thought!

I managed to hold my sarcasm in check while my daughter rolled her eyes and sighed through yet another Mommy speech about children not running around half naked like banshees and at least trying to be a helpful big sister. And when my lips finally stopped moving, my now half naked 6 year old, wearing way too much blue eye shadow, turned and announced to her little sister that now she is a mermaid. Hmm. Well yes, the blue shadow does accent your gills. Please, delve right back into that magical world of childhood. When you come up for air, we'll have fish sticks for dinner.

In the meantime, some highlights from this week

Practicing her strokes for a run at Bay Watch.

Practicing to become a professional gamer.

Taking a break after a grueling first day of dance camp.

Girly things.

Blueberry picking. Yum.

Playing at the park with old friends and new.

Learning at the library

Surprise visit from Daddy at the library!

And then after some library fun and lunch donwtown, ice cream!

Maisey found Chief snuggling with her doggie.

Some fun in the very hot sun.

Hooray! Maisey had fun at Leap N' Learn dance camp

Um, where'd the furniture go? Who cares! More room to play!

Imitating Daddy.

More swimming fun with Daddy.

The View at Three Feet

Both girls have been picture happy lately. Everytime they get my iPod they take pictures, so each of them can share their world.

Evie's World

Maisey watching TV and playing.

Me outside. My Daddy playing guitar.

Maisey's World

I like superheros. This is Batman.

This is Evie. And me, and Evie and me.

Ha. Funny Face. Ha ha! Mommy's butt!

Here's my fort. Evie's not allowed inside.

Self portrait. Mommy does this all the time.

Spiderman, and me again.

So What else have we been up to?

A long nap. Too bad there's no room on the couch for me.

We went to the Oglebay Good Zoo.

We made cars for a drive in movie night. I bought Lady and the Tramp and the girls loved it. And the cars turned out great!

Maisey gave Evie a lesson in pizza making.

True Story

Today I was cutting the tags off of a polly pocket sized Rapunzel doll and I accidentally cut one of the hairs. I panicked, immediately expecting her hair to turn brown and the doll to lose her powers.

Mall Day

How's this for a good deal: Today was mall day, because it was raining and because I had nothing else to do today (insert laugh here), I took them to the mall and to Claire's Boutique, or Maisey's favorite store. I told them they could each pick out one thing (because I wanted to get out of there alive). I told them that if they behaved they could get it; if they acted up, they'd have to put it back. I do this at Target and the Dollar Tree and it works great. Of course Maisey picked a makeup kit. A huge one. With eye shadows and blush, and eye pencils and mascara. And it cost $15.00. So I made her a deal that I'd get it for her if she washed dishes for a week. She didn't even hesitate. She agreed. Does that violate some child labor law? I wonder. Now I'm thinking I should have bargained for more.

Potty Progress

Evie had a potty training break through today at the mall, of all places. She told me she had to use the potty. The catch was that it was in the middle of us watching Madagascar 3D in the theater, but hey, when you gotta go.... The whole thing is awesome--not just telling me, or holding it while we walked the thousand miles to the theater restroom--it was the first time she's asked to use the potty while wearing bottoms of any kind (a diaper and shorts). Because just yesterday she tested my mommy patience by peeing on the booby chair in her room during a time out. Maybe she was making a statement to me yesterday that I am just now beginning to understand....

Anyway, the week is off to a slow start, but I'll still post some fun stuff we did over the weekend.

Evie, after eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that Maisey made her.

There was water play I think, because I have this picture...

Maisey and Chief relaxing on the sofa.

I'm happy to report Chief seems to be a new dog after his surgery. And who wouldn't feel young and spry again after having a 12 1/2 pound tumor removed from their abdomen? His appetite is improved, and he's been spotted doing his two favorite outdoor activities: Grass rolling and Squirrel chasing. Things we never thought we'd see him do again. He's also back to prancing dancing on my feet while I bring him his dinner. That part I didn't miss so much, but I'll take the bad with the good here.

Master Painters

Maisey and Evie did some al fresco painting with jello and Kool Aid (pinterest idea). The paint didn't work as well as I would have liked, but it's because I didn't buy a full range of colors. Do they even have green Kool Aid? Anyway, Evie's pose at the easel is just priceless.

Mom, Can I Have A Ring?

We went to Maisey's boyfriend's house Saturday evening for dinner. (Yes, I know she's only just turned 6. They've been boyfriend/girlfriend for the whole Kindergarten year.) Maisey and Alex were playing upstairs when Alex appeared downstairs in front of his mom.

"Mom, can I have one of your rings?"

We all looked a little confused and his mom asked why.

"I want to give it to Maisey."

Adorably romantic, and yet hair-whitening terror. We gave them Oreos instead.

Father's Day Picnic

Having fun at a friend's house for Father's Day, blowing bubbles

Jumping on the trampoline

Swimming and sliding

and climbing and playing on the jungle gym, or Daddy mountain.

"Come back bubbles! Come back!"